The Alternative Technology Association (ATA), today welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement of a doubling of the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET), also known as the Energy Saver Incentive, and the opening of the scheme to small and medium sized businesses.

“This is an important expansion of a successful program,” ATA’s Chief Executive Officer, Ian Porter, said.

“Energy efficiency remains our first approach to reducing emissions at lowest cost, and a huge untapped opportunity. Since the introduction of VEET in 2007, there have been extensive energy and emissions savings by households, in many cases through the replacement of incandescent lighting with compact fluorescents – at low cost and with many new jobs being created.”

In the ATA’s submission to the Victorian Government’s Climate Change Green Paper in 2009, the ATA strongly recommended that the VEET target be increased and extended to the commercial sector.

“Today’s announcement should see an annual reduction of more than five million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Other states and the Commonwealth must look closely at this model,” Mr Porter added.

The ATA, as part of an extensive alliance of environmental, social policy and church groups, is calling on the Victorian Government to retrofit one million homes to help low-income Victorians respond to climate change and rising energy costs.

“This expanded VEET could well form a plank of an ambitious retrofit program,” Mr Porter said. “And we would encourage the Victorian Government to continue to aim high and show leadership.

“We look forward to the Victorian Government’s White Paper building on this important announcement and providing targets and direction for the community, businesses and industry.”